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“Until the mercury supply runs out,” Dewey said. “Though after that, duplicates can still be made. But they will only be temporary, not permanent.”

“That sounds just as bad.”

“While they’re all still alive, it is. The temps die off within hours to days though.”

“And the permanent ones? Do they have a life span?”

“Same as the original,” Dewey answered before biting into his breadstick.

“So, in other words, if we don’t stop the werewolves from acquiring this mirror, we could be overrun with them, permanently or temporarily.”

“Right. And even without the mercury, the temporary ones could live long enough to upset the balance. Plus, they can continue to resurrect them over and over and over.”

Paige wrinkled her nose. “Maybe I should have let the other library handle this.”

“No way!” Dewey said, waving his paw in the air. “This is a great opportunity!”

“But if we fail–“

“We won’t.” Dewey punctuated his statement with a nod.

“I’m glad you have that much confidence. Because I don’t. I mean, a mirror that lets you multiply things and werewolves. And magic mercury. Oh, and an incantation. And we only have to race the werewolves to get to it.”

“Correction,” Dewey said, poking a finger toward her. “You have to race the werewolves to get it.”

“What? What do you mean me? Us!” Paige insisted.

“No, you,” Dewey argued. “I can’t leave the library.”

“You can’t or you won’t? Like you’re not allowed, or you just never do?”

Dewey sipped his soda through a straw before he set it down. “Paige…look at me. Does it look like I can leave the library?”

Paige shifted in her seat as she let the last bite of her breadstick fall onto her plate. “But…” She stared into space. Her breathing turned ragged. She shook her head. “I can’t do this on my own!”

“I’ll provide support from here. I’m just a text message away.” He paused, his mouth wrinkling. “Although, sometimes it takes me a little while to type because my paws are kind of stubby, and I can’t use the virtual keyboard too well.”

“No! No way,” Paige exclaimed. “I can’t go into the field alone. I wouldn’t know the first thing about this work.”

“You’ll figure it out,” Dewey said.

“I can’t do it, Dewey,” Paige reiterated. “I’m–I’m a coward. I’ll get killed. Like tonight, I barely got the pizza. Someone almost ran me over when I crossed the street. I’ll never survive this!”

“Well, you’ll have to figure something out. I obviously can’t go.”

She dropped her shoulders as the words hit her. She couldn’t very well carry a dragon around with her. Dewey was right. She’d be alone.

Paige shook her head and tapped her closed fist on the chair’s arm. “We need to figure something out. I can’t do this alone.”

“I’m sure the first time will be scary, but they didn’t hire you because they thought you couldn’t do the job,” Dewey assured her.

Paige pressed her lips together, not certain he was correct. “No, they hired me because of who my mother was.” She waved her charm bracelet in the air.

“And your mother was probably a smart, savvy, very capable librarian.”

“With years of experience.” Paige hesitated a moment as a sigh escaped her lips. “And, might I point out, she went missing.”

“Let’s hope you fare a little better.” Dewey flitted over and collected Paige’s plate. “More or are you finished?”